By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist

“We want to remind teachers to purchase your Taste of Pelham tickets today,” Pelham City Councilman Maurice Mercer announced at Pelham City Schools’ Teacher Institute Day.

When Mercer also announced that this year’s event would be in August instead of later in the fall, teachers were excited.

With Taste of Pelham occurring before school extracurricular activities were in full swing, many teachers were able to attend.

“I thought The Taste of Pelham was great,” said PHS science teacher Julie Nelson, “And I won a door prize.”

Sponsored by the Pelham Library Guild, The Taste of Pelham brings the city together for one night to celebrate great food and our outstanding Pelham Public Library.

Myers Pottery and Plants provided gorgeous table centerpieces that went to the highest bidders.

With a live band, almost 30 booths and a dozen local sponsors, the event truly highlighted the wonderful spirit of support and encouragement that has always characterized Pelham.

Raising funds for the library is a cause many take to heart in Pelham. The Pelham Public Library staff coordinates programming for the Pelham Senior Center, provides numerous opportunities for Pelham’s children and young adults and offers all of Pelham great reading and information services.

With all of their hard work, Pelham Public Library offers everyone in Pelham an improved quality of life. With the Taste of Pelham, Pelham Public provides more information—about all of the great places to eat in and around Pelham.

“I am gratified by the outpouring of support for our public library. I am grateful for the positive comments from everyone and I am especially grateful for the tireless efforts of Debbie Parrott, Manager of Iberiabank in Pelham who has been chairperson of this event for the past three years,” said Barbara Roberts, Director of Pelham Public Library.

Lively conversation and laughter, the aroma of delicious foods, and the tireless work of many individuals made this year’s Taste of Pelham a tremendous success.

“Taste of Pelham has become an event that the public looks forward to every year and every year the participation grows,” said Roberts.